Control apparatus for processing fabric



March 9, 1965 E. HAJOS 3,172,219

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING FABRIC Filed 001;. 19. 1962 s Sheets-Sheet 1 March 9, 1965 E. YHAJOS comm. APPARATUS FOR- PROCESSING FABRIC :s She ets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 19, 1962 v. Q N a March 9, 196 5 E. HAJOS 3,172,219

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING FABRIC Filed Oct. 19, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 3,172,219 CONTROL APPARATUS FOR PRGCESSHNG FABREC Eugene Haios, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Hydraxtor Company, Chicago, 132., a corporation of Illinois Filed Get. 19, 1%2, Ser. No. 231,774 19 Claims. (Cl. 38-2) This invention relates to control apparatus for processing systems, and more particularly to control apparatus particularly useful in combination with apparatus for processing fabric during a laundry operation, and to signal storage and control arrangements useful in such apparatus.

In commercial laundry operations, after fabrics have been washed they are passed through an elongated path in a mangle and often through a folding apparatus for automatically folding an ironed fabric in a continuous operation. Occasionally the fabric is damaged, for example, being stained or torn, and when this occurs the fabric should be specially treated and extracted from the continuous processing operation. Laundry equipment, however, is operating at higher and higher speeds and it is becoming difficult for operators to detect a defect (conventionally as the fabric is being fed to the mangle) so that the fabric may be removed from the processing system. If the fabric is not removed the defect will frequently be obscured by the folding operation so that the subsequent detection is impossible. In addition, with straightening apparatus that may be employed with commercial laundry mangles for example, any type of signaling to an assistant or an indication on the fabric as by folding a corner is impossible as a practical matter.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide new and improved apparatus for signaling the condition of material in a material processing system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signaling apparatus particularly useful for signaling and control of sheet material passing through processing apparatus of considerable length and at a variable speed so that a condition existing in a portion of the sheet material detected at the input, for. example, of the processing apparatus may be used to control operation during the processing operation or at the output thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel and improved apparatus for separating or classifying articles as they pass through a processing system.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved rejection mechanisms and controls therefor, for use in commercial laundry ironing and folding apparatus.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided in conjunction with a commercial laundry mangle and associated folding apparatus a signaling system which enables control of the apparatus in response to flaws detected immediately before the fabric is applied to the mangle. A signal indicative of the detected flaw is stored in signal storage apparatus which provides a time delay directly proportional to the mangle speed and produces an output signal as the defective fabric is emerging from the mangle. This output signal may be employed to remove the fabric from the system at that point, or may be stored in a second time delay device which provides a delay as a function of the following unit of equipmenta folder for example. In the latter case the second delay device provides an output signal as the fabric is being discharged from the folder and operates classifying equipment to se regate the defective article at that point. The delay devices utilized in the preferred embodiment are signal storage elements employing a plurality of capacitors, each of which may store a signal indicative of a defective article. The capacitor and associated charging and discharging circuits are driven relative to one another by the laundry mangle,

folder equipment or other apparatus which they are supervising. Flaw detection in the embodiment described hereinafter is signaled by the setting of a manually operated switch but other flaw detection signal generating means may be employed with the invention. In like manner specific fabric rejection and classifying arrangements are disclosed including a pneumatically operated device located at the transition between two processing units. Thus the invention provides improved apparatus for classifying articles, on the basis of detected flaws for example. I

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be seen as the following description of a preferred emobdiment thereof progresses, in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top View of a commercial laundry mangle and folding apparatus, and control circuitry constructed in accordance with principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side diagrammatic view of the mangle and folding apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a signal storage apparatus component attached to the mangle drive;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of electrical control circuitry for providing variable time delay employed in the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a modified control circuit arrangement useful with a different type of signal storage apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a side view of fabric rejection apparatus employed with the structures shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of the fabric rejection apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown therein a mangle 10 having a plurality of padded ironing rolls 12, which are mounted for rotation immediately above a steam chest 14. A plurality of narrow tapes 16 are trained between the rolls and steam chest and function as strippers. A first transport apron 18 has a straight run immediately adjacent the lower run of the tapes 16, and a second transport apron 20 has a straight run immediately below the lower run of the apron 18. At the far end of the apron 20 there is a transition conveyer 22 which functions to transfer ironed fabrics to the input of the folder 24. The path of movement of fabric through the ironer or mangle 16 is about 45 feet in length (varying somewhat depending on the type of mangle employed). In the ironing operation the fabric passes beneath the several rollers 12 in an ironing operation while being exposed to heat from the steam chest 14 and then is transferred to the first apron 18 for passage back toward the front of the mangle adjacent the lower surface of the steam chest for further ironing. Finally, the fabric is conveyed forwardly again between aprons 18, 20 and is exposed to further heating and then is transferred by the transition conveyer 22 to the input of folder 24.

In the folder, which may be of the conventional type, there are several sets of traverse nips 26, 28, 30 and a longitudinal folding apparatus 32. These apparatus indicated diagrammatically are of a conventional type and as such do not form a part of the invention. In the conventional operation nips 26 grasp the leading edge of the fabric sheet as the fabric is being drawn along the conveyor belts 34 and are timed to release the leading edge in line with the trailing edge of the sheet to provide a first traverse fold. Nips 28 similarly grasp the article and fold it again in similar manner. Nips 30 are conventionally employed to turn the article over so that the edges thereof may be folded inside by the longitudinal folder 32 which may employ a plurality of guillotine members 36 each of which forces the center of the article to be folded into the hips of two driven rollers 38 below conveyor 34 which grasp the article and pull it down in a folding operation and transfer on a laterally moving conveyor 40 disposed below the conveyor 34 and moving in a direction perpendicular thereto.

In operation .the ironer-folder combination may have a plurality of channels, in the illustrated example four channels, each handling individual small articles. The four channels may be combined into two channels for operation on medium sized articles and into a single channel covering the entire width of the apparatus for ironing and folding large articles such as sheets. Associated with each channel is a push button or toggle switch 41-44. The switches 41 and 43 are denominated T for torn and switches 42 and 44 are denominated S for stain. When an operator detects a fabric having a torn defect or a stain defect she actuates the appropriate switch and generates a signal which is applied to a first four channel signal storage device 46 which is driven at a speed directly proportional to the ironer 10. This signal storage device may control a rejection device 48 positioned at the end of the ironer or may transfer the defect signal to a second four channel signal storage device 50 which is mounted in similar manner to the device 46 and is driven at a speed directly proportional to the speed of the folder. This device stores the signal indication of the detected defect and as the fabric with that defect emerges at the output end of the folder, generates an audible or visible indication of the defect or disables a guillotine mechanism 36 for example so that the defective article is not folded longitudinally but rather fed off the rear end of the folding apparatus into a suitable container 52 located at that point. In this manner the articles may be segregated according to the nature of the detected defects in an automatic manner in a high speed processing operation. For example, a stained article might be rejected by the apparatus 48 at the end of the ironer so that it may be automatically returned for further laundering while a torn article might be rejected by disabling a guillotine 36 so that that article will be deposited in the receptacle 52.

Apparatus for mounting the signal storage apparatus 46 or 50 directly on the driven shaft of an existing apparatus is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this arrangement the signal storage apparatus 46 includes a rotary switch mechanism that is periodically stepped by a signal. The signal is applied to step the switch as a function of the speed of the supervised apparatus. In this apparatus a contactor 60 is supported on a suitable framework member 62 of the apparatus. The output shaft 64 of the contactor 60 is coupled to a driven roll shaft 66 of the ironer through a variable speed pulley 68 and a belt 70 that is passed over two auxiliary pulleys 72, 74 which are biased so that the outer surface of belt 70 hugs shaft 66. The two pulleys 72, 74 are supported on links 76 that are pivotally secured to the framework of the contactor 60. A tension spring 78 connects the two links 76 and urges the pulleys 72, '74 toward one another with the shaft 66 interposed between them. The axes of rotation of the pulleys 72, 74 are in substantially the same plane as the axis of rotation of the drive roll shaft 66. The belt 70 which is trained over the variable speed pulley 68, under the two auxiliary pulleys 72, 74, and over the drive roll shaft 66 thus is maintained in frictionally driving engagement with that shaft so that the contactor shaft 64 is driven at a rate directly proportional to the speed of rotation of the ironer shaft 66. The variable diameter sheave 68 is adjustable to enable coordination of the contactor operation with the rotary stepping switch that it controls. As the contactor operates, it provides periodic signals at a rate directly proportional to the speed of rotation of that shaft. This arrangement is a simple structure which permits a variable speed contactor drive to be mounted on a machine shaft where an exposed shaft end is not available, a not infrequent occurrence.

This coupling is a balanced system which is simple in structure and reliable in operation. A second form of signal storage device employed in the apparatus incorporates a continuously driven switching mechanism rather than a stepping switch, and this mechanism may be mounted in similar manner if desired.

A schematic diagram of one embodiment of signal storage apparatus and signaling circuitry is shown in FIG. 5. Power from the apparatus is supplied over lines 80 through switch 82 and conventional fusing 84. Indicator light 86 is connected across the lines. A fisrt power circuit through transformer 90 supplies a control circuit including push buttons 41, 42 and a contactor element 60; and a power supply for vacuum tube circuitry. In the control circuit, a first coil 191 is connected in series with push button 41 for energization when the push button 41 is depressed and a second coil 102 is energized when push button 42 is depressed. A holding circuit, connected across each push button, includes a normally closed contact 103-1 in series with a normally open contact 101-1 controlled by coil 101 and a similar contact 102-1 controlled by coil 102. When a push button is depressed (for example, push button 41) the series connected coil 101 is energized and the holding circuit is contemplated across the push button by closing the contacts 101-1 (operated by that coil) which are in series with the closed contacts 103-1. This holding circuit remains energized until the normally closed contacts 103-1 are operated. The circuit also includes rotary contactor element 60 which periodically completes a circuit through contact 92 to energize relay 94. (If desired, a single contactor 60 may operate two classifiers employing the type of circuitry illustrated in FIG. 5 and in that case a second relay coil 94 may be connected in parallel with the contactor circuit. The remaining portions of the second classifier circuitry correspond to that controlled by coil 94.)

A second power circuit connected to the lines includes a bridge rectifier 104 which has an output through a fil tering circuit (including a resistance 106 and a capacitance 10S), normally open contacts 94-1 and relay coil 103. Resistor 110 and capacitor 112 are connected in parallel to one terminal of coil 163 (which is the operating solenoid of a rotary stepping switch).

When a push button is depressed as indicated above, the holding circuit maintains the control coil energized until contacts 103-1 are opened. These contacts are opened when contactor 60 closes contacts 92 to energize coil 94. With the energization of coil 94 contacts 94-1 close to energize coil 103, which energization opens contacts 103-1 and releases the holding circuit so that the energized relay coil 101 and/or 102 is released.

The vacuum tube power supply, connected from the main line through transformer 90, comprises a voltage doubling circuit which includes a resistor 120, diodes 122, 124-, capacitors 126, 128 and an output resistor 130. This circuit provides a B+ potential for operating the vacuum tubes 132, 134 which are triode sections of a dual triode tube Type 5963 in the preferred embodiment.

Two auxiliary sources of voltage are applied through transformer-bridge rectifier configurations. An 80 volt capacitor charging signal is obtained via transformer and bridge rectifier 142 through RC filter 144 and output resistor 146 at the variable tap 148. Similarly an 18 volt bias supply is obtained from transformer 150 through a bridge rectifier 152 and an output resistor 154 having a variable tap 156 across which is connected capacitor 153. In addition to the production of an 18 volt reference voltage, the signal is connected as a reference to output resistor 146 in the 80 volt circuit. Also, a fourth transformer 160 is employed which produces a low voltage for application to the filaments of the vacuum tubes 132, 134.

Each vacuum tube has a cathode 162 connected to ground, a control electrode 164 and an anode 166. The

control electrode 164 of tube 132 has a bias resistor 163 connected between it and the bias bus and is connected to contacts 170-2. Similar connections are made to the control electrode of tube 134.

A signal storage element which forms a portion of the stepping switch 46 has a plurality of capacitors 176 and two aligned rows 172, 174 of contacts. Each capacitor 176 is connected to a corresponding contact in row 174 and to a similar contact in row 172 offset one contact position from the contact in row 174. These two rows of contacts are mounted on a drum and each time the contactor 60 operates to close the contacts 92 the drum on which the two rows of contacts are mounted is rotated one contact position. In the preferred embodiment there are thirty capacitors 176 employed in the switch unit for each channel. Two wipers 178, 180 engage successive contacts in rows 172, 174 to respectively discharge and charge the corresponding capacitors.

The charging connection to the stepping switch capacitors 176 is through wiper 130 and contacts 174 in the upper row. Connected to wiper 1813 is a pair of paralleled contacts 101-2 and 101-3 in series with a pair of paralleled contacts 94-2 and 94-3. When the contacts 94-2 and 101-2 are closed at the same time a signal of approximately 80 volts is applied from the ouput resistor tap 148 through wiper 180 to charge one of the capacitors 176 then connected through a contact 174 to wiper 180. The discharging connection is through the second wiper 178 which engages successive ones of the contacts in row 172 to transfer a signal from a charged capacitor through contacts 170-2 to the control grid of vacuum tube 132. After a capacitor 176 has been charged through wiper 130 it is connected to wiper 178 for discharge just before the stepping switch has completed a revolution, that is, at the twenty-ninth step. When such a signal is applied to the grid the tube conducts and plate relay 170 is energized.

(A similar circuit, controlled by the paralleled set of contacts 102-2, 102-3, is connected over line 182 to a second similar capacitor and contact drum element 183 of the stepping switch 46. In like manner an output signal is applied over line 184 when the lower wiper is connected to a charged capacitor through a switch 186-2 to the control grid 164 of tube 134. The resulting operation of the tube energizes relay coil 186 in the same manner as tube 134 energized relay coil 170.)

With the energization of coil 170, in time delayed response to the energization of relay coil 101, the control contacts 170-1, 170-2 are operated to connect the line 178 to the l8 volt bus (to which the common terminal of the stepping switch capacitors 176 is connected) thereby insuring removal of all charge from the capacitor then connected to discharge wiper 178. A contact 170-3 is also closed and a signal applied through resistor 190 to energize coil 192 which has connected in parallel with it an RC circuit to hold the relay energized for about one second after contact 170-3 opens. (In like manner energization of coil 186 operates contacts 186-1, 186-2 to discharge the connected capacitor in switch element 183 and contacts 1556-33 to energize relay coil 194.)

With reference to the main control circuit (in the upper right hand corner of FIG. coil 192 operates contacts 192-1 connected in series with an indicator lamp 196 and also auxiliary contacts 192-2 which are used to operate other circuitry of the system as desired. (In like manner energization of the coil 194 closes contacts 194-1 to energize indicator lamp 198 and also closes auxiliary contacts 194-2.)

With the switch 82 closed the circuitry shown in FIG. 5 is energized and operates as follows. When an operator detects a torn article she depresses push button 41 and coil 101 is energized to complete a holding circuit that maintains coil 101 energized so that release of push button 41 will not de-energize the coil. Also the contacts 101-2 and 101-3 are closed in the charging circuit to the capacitors 176 of the stepping switch 46. As this is being accomplished the contact actuator 60 is being rotated at a rate directly controlled by the speed of the ironer and the next time that contacts 92 are closed coil 94 is energized. That energization closes contacts 94-1 and energizes coil 103. Contacts 94-2 and 94-3 are also energized at the same time to apply a charging potential to wiper 180 and the connected capacitor 176 of the stepping switch unit. The energization of coil 103 advances the stepping switch 46 one step (in the direction indicated by the arrow) to change the terminals to which the lines 173 and 180 are connected and also opens the normally closed contacts 103-1 to remove the holding circuit across the push button 41so that coil 101 is de-energized.

When the stepping switch 46 has made a complete rotation (less one contact) the capacitor charged in the previously described operation is connected to wiper 178 and applies that potential through contacts -2 to the triode 132 causing that triode to be driven rapidly into conduction, permitting current flow which energizes relay coil 170. That coil operates the contacts 170-1 and 170-2 to fully discharge the capacitor 176 then connected to wiper 180 and also closes contacts 170-3 which permits coil 192 to be energized. The energization of this coil closes contacts 192-1 and energizes the torn light indicator 196 and also auxiliary contacts which would control a suitable reject mechanism, for example, mechanism 48 at the end of the path of movement of the fabric through the ironer. When the grid circuit is opened by contacts 170-2 relay 170 is de-energized and relay coil 192 is de-energized after a time delay due to capacitance across its coil. The circuitry then returns to its initial condition for the next stepping operation of the switch 46 and the sampling of a capacitor 176.

In similar manner a depression of push button 42 (employed to indicate a different defect such as a stained article rather than a torn article) provides a signal which is transferred just prior to the stepping operation of the switch 46 to a capacitor in element 183. This charge on the capacitor provides an indication of the defect and as the stepping switch is advanced at a rate proportioned to the rate of movement of the fabric defect through the ironer, when the defective fabric emerges from the ironer the charge on the capacitor is applied over output line to actuate the tube 134 and through that circuitry to close contacts 194-1 and 194-2 to provide a suitable visual or audible indication of the defect and also to operate connected equipment.

In certain systems it is desirable to carry this signal through a second machine in which the article is further"- processed, as in the folder for example, rather than to reject an article at the end of the ironer. In this arrangement the auxiliary contact 192-2 or 194-2 may be connected to provide the defect indication to a suitable second signal storage device which is driven by the folder drive mechanism.

A modified structure which is suitable for use with an ironer or a folder is shown in FIG. 6. This structure employs a continuously driven capacitor storage unit rather than a capacitor storage unit that is periodically advanced. This storage unit is a rotary switch 200 which may be connected as the sensor 50 to the folder and employs capacitors 202, one terminal of each being connected to a common line 204, and the other terminal of which is brought out at an individual contact 206. A charging wiper 208 is connected to one contact 206 and a discharging wiper 210 is simultaneously connected to a different capacitor terminal contact. The input control circuitry is slightly different from that shown in FIG. 5, to insure proper synchronization. Each signaling channel has a separate control contact (shown in the form of push button 212, but which may be contacts 194-2, for example) which when closed energizes relay coil 214 which has capacitor 216 connected across it. Energization :of the relay 214 opens a normally closed contact 214-1 to de-energize the auxiliary relay coil 218. During the interval that both relay coils are energized, however, a capacitor changing path is completed from a voltage source over line 220 through contacts 214-2 and 218-1 or through contacts 214 -3 and 218-2. The circuitry is timed so that one or more capacitors will be charged during this interval while the contact wipers are being continuously driven. In the timing of the disclosed circuit, at least one capacitor will be charged and not more than two will be charged in response to a single push button actuation. Thus, should the push button 212 be held depressed the apparatus will not provide a false indication of the number of defective articles that have been detected.

When the capacitor storage switch unit has made a substantially complete cycle the charge on the capacitor will be drawn off through wiper 210 and applied to triode control device 229 to cause that tube to conduct an energize relay coil 224 which closes relay contacts 224-1 and 224-2 to discharge the connected capacitor completely and also to close contacts 224-3 and 224-4 to operate an external circuit connected at terminals 226.

The circuitry operates in substantially the same manner as that shown in FIG. 5. l/Vhen push button 212 is depressed relay coil 214 is energized to operate contacts 214-1, 214-2 and 214-3. As contacts 218-1 and 218-2 are closed a signal from line 220 is applied to charge at least one of the capacitors 202. However, energization of relay 214 opens contacts 214-1 so that the circuit of auxiliary relay 218 is tie-energized with the result that the capacitor charging circuit is opened shortly after it was energized to remove the charging signal from wiper 208. After the rotary switch unit 200 has completed a substantially complete cycle wiper 210 is connected to the capacitor that was charged and the resulting signal is applied to the control electrode of vacuum tube 222 enabling current to flow in its output circuit and energize relay 2.24 which provides the output signal indicative of the sensed defect. This output indication is produced at a time subsequent to the depression of push button 212 that is directly related to the speed of movement of the defective article through the folding apparatus (where the push button (or other contacts) is actuated as the article enters the folder). The auxiliary contacts 224-3 and 224-4 may be employed to provide an audible or visual warning of the defective article or to disable the guillotine mechanism 36 for example (as by opening the energizing circuit) so that the article rather than being folded transversely will be deposited in the storage bin 52 at the end of the folder conveyor 34. A separate channel is used for each input signal and they may be supplied from the same type of power source as that shown in FIG. 5.

Rather than disabling a device (as the guillotine 36) a device may be operated such as the reject device 48 positioned at the end of the ironer. This device is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. At the end of the ironer the second conveyer apron 20 is trained about a roller 250. The end portion of that conveyer overlies the input or transition conveyer 22 to the folder which conveyer is trained about a lower roll 252. Supported at the end of the ironer conveyer 20 is a barrier or guard member 254 of polished metal behind which is disposed a pipe 256 having a plurality of perforations 257 auxially disposed along its length. This conduit is connected to suitable control such as a solenoid valve 253 which may be operated by the closing of the contacts 192-2 (FIG. for example to supply air under pressure to the pipe 256.

Mounted on the transition conveyer end plates 260 are a pair of upstanding bracket members 262 and secured for pivoting movement between those brackets is a curved slotted member 264 that is biased into engagement with the lower run of conveyer apron at a point close to roll 250. An arm 2656 on the slotted member extends forwardly of the pivot point and a tension spring 263 is coupled between the arm and frame member 270. This spring 268 biases the slotted member 264 upwardly into light wiping engagement with the lower run of the ironer conveyer apron 20.

In operation a fabric article fed from the ironer conveyer 20 follows a path substantially as indicated by the dashed line 270 into engagement with the input conveyer of the folder. In this path the article slides across the guard 254 immediately below the perforations 257. Normally articles coming off apron 20 are urged forward by conveyer 22 which travels at a higher speed than apron 20. Thus, articles are conveyed from ironer to folder under the polished metal guard 254. However, if a stained article for example has been detected at the input end of the ironer the storage device 46 will receive an indication of this fact from one of the switches 42 or 44 and when that article reaches the end of conveyer 20 the control circuitry will actuate the solenoid valve 258 to admit air to the perforated pipe 256 and the resultant blast of air, directed parallel to the lower run of the ironer apron 2i and against the slotted member 264, will force the defective article back into and through the nip between the ironer apron and the guard. This nip is such that it will firmly secure the article after the air blast has ceased and should the article not be blown entirely past the guard the movement of the ironer apron 20 will pull the article through so that it is dropped off the end of the slotted member 264 into a suitable receptacle for such articles. The slots or other forms of perforations in member 264 relieve build-up of pressure in front of the fabric by the conveyer and cooperating member 264, which pressure build-up might impede the movement of the fabric into the nip or deflect the fabric to one side.

Thus it will be seen that the invention provides apparatus useful in continuous processing systems in which articles fed through a path of substantial length which permits a detected defective article to be automatically removed or its presence signaled at a later point in an automatic manner as a function of the actual speed of the apparatus. This apparatus is particularly advantageous in laundry apparatus where the speed of the ironer is varied. For example, double thickness of fabrics such as pillow cases require a substantially longer processing time within the ironer than do thin articles as the processing time is a function of the density of fabric and the amount of water that must be removed from the article in the ironing operation. In like manner the amount of moisture present in the article may vary according to the previous type of processing operation. Because of this fact, operators of laundry establishments require the fa cility to vary the speed of the ironer to that required for adequate ironing. In addition, two adjacent processing apparatus may employ entirely diiferent rates of operation. The folder is often operated at a relatively constant speed in combination with an ironer that is operating at a variable speed. The apparatus of the invention permits articles to be detected at one point of the processing system and to proceed through processing steps of variable time durations and action to be taken with respect to the detected article at a remote point and also provides novel forms of deflecting or segregating apparatus particularly useful in such systems.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other modifications thereof may be made therein and therefore the invention is not intended to be limited to the described embodiments or to details thereof and departures may be made therefrom within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a variable speed continuously operating laundry processing system,

means to generate a signal upon detection of a defective fabric article being processed by said system,

a capacitive memory device for storing each signal indicative of a defective article,

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein said and means responsive to the generation of said output indication to fully discharge the capacitor producing said output indication.

6. In combination with a variable speed continuously operating laundry processing system including ironing apsaid capacitive memory device including a multiplicity 5 of sequentially arranged capacitors, Pflfatlls 9 foldlng pp a each said capacitor having terminal means coupled each Sald ppf Q g a P of Substantial length thereto; for processing fabric articles, charging signal applying means and sensing means dismeans at t m to 531d PP P to g r posed in predgtermined relation relative to said ter 10 a signal 1nd1cat1ve of a detected defective fabric article minal means being processed by said system, means to drivesaid terminal means and Said charging means for storing each said defective fabric article sigsi na a l in means and said sensin means rela- 9 tije g f g in a cyclical a. variable time delay means coupled to said ironing apsaid drive means being coupled to said processing sysparatus for reading out said stored defective article tern so that said relative movement is a direct funcslgnal delay as a dlrect flincilon of the speed tion of the speed of the fabric articles through said arflcles through sald Homer E F system a re ectlon device interposed between the output 01 said and means coupled to said sensing means to provide an miner apparatus and the Input of 531d folding pp output indication of the detected defective article. m 2 In combination with a variable speed continuously and mean.s for i sald defeclve ar1c1e s1g1a1 opellafino processing apparatus from said variable time delay means to said re ection device to operate said rejection device to prevent the r g ggizi gg z i g a path of Substantial length f0 detected defective fabric article from being applied to said folding apparatus. means coupled to sald apparatus to generate a signal I indicative of a detected article being processed by m clalmed P Sald said pp re ec iont evtilcleflilnc u tes ineans res lelt yd rased llJLO engagemen W1 e on pu conveyer o sai ironer means for storing each said article signal comprismg and barrier means dis l posed in the path of the articles a mulflphclty of sequennauy arranged slgnal storage being processed having a plurality of orifices for direct pa i 1 d t h ca acitor tion of fluid flow toward said resiliently biased means 5215131111 aplrjiliseianngs 5121211356 an 1 865108 ing glean dispgsed i for 1nrgrig lsjelected articles into engagement With said resi ren y iased means. Predetermlned 1613mm relatlve to said mammal 8. In combination with a variable speed continuously means, d t 1 d d l operating processing system including a plurality of means to mov Sal effnma {Beans an $31 Plgna processing apparatus capable of operating at different plying means and said sensing means relative to one speeds! 3 5123125 0; f gi i cgs fggugz zaggigpggg l s of earfzh said apparatusliaving a path of substantial length or processing artic es, meflns to pp Said article slgnal sald Y means coupled to a first apparatus to generate a signal 1l 1g 1 5 to Charge one of the capacltors 111 531d indicative of a detected article being processed by signa s orage means, 0 said system, and m a s C P t0 Sald Senslllg meansfo PmVlde first variable time delay means for storing each said Output lndlcatlQn the detectfid amid? when 'f article signal as a direct function of the speed of the charged capacitor is connected to said sensing 211116153 h h d fi t apparatus means. said first time delay means being arranged to provide an output signal as the detected article is emerging signal storing means is periodically stepped as a function of the speed of said processing apparatus to change the position of said signal applying means and said sensing means relative to said capacitors,

means for temporarily storing a detected article signal indication and means responsive to a stepping signal to apply said temporarily stored signal indication to said signal applying means for storage on one of said capacitors immediately prior to the movement of said signal applying means relative to said terminal means.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein said output signal means further includes means connected to said signal sensing means operative on sensing a charged capacitor to fully discharge that capacitor.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein said signal storing means includes means to move said signal applying means and said sensing means relative to said termmal means at a continuous rate as a function of the speed of movement of articles through said processing apparatus,

first and second contact means connected in series with said signal applying means to control the application of the signal to said terminal means, means maintaining said first contact means normally closed and means to open said first contact means shortly after said second contact means are operated to control the duration of the signal applied to said signal applying means,

from said first apparatus,

second time delay means coupled to said second apparatus for storing said output signals as a direct function of the speed of the articles through said second apparatus,

and means coupled to said second time delay means to provide an indication of said detected article as that article is emerging from said second apparatus.

9. In combination with a variable speed continuously operating laundry processing system including an ironer and a folder,

said ironer and said folder each having a path of substantial length for processing fabric articles,

means at the input of said ironer to generate a signal indicative of a detected defective fabric article being processed by said system,

variable time delay means for storing each said defective fabric article signal as a direct function of the speed of the fabric articles through said ironer,

and producing an output signal as the defective article is emerging from said ironer,

a rejection device disposed at the output of said ironer in the normal path of the article for subsequent processing by said folder including air pressure means operative in response to said output signal to deflect said defective article from said path,

second time delay means for storing said output signals as a direct function of the speed of the fabric articles through said folder,

means coupling said output signals to said second time delay means,

and means coupled to said second time delay means to disable a portion of said folder to segregate detected defective articles in response to a defective article signal emitted from said second time delay means.

10. In combination with a variable speed continuously operating laundry processing system including ironing apparatus and folding apparatus,

each said apparatus having a path of substantial length for processing fabric articles,

means at the input to said ironer apparatus to generate a signal indicative of a detected defective fabric article being processed by said system,

means for storing each said defective fabric article signal comprising a multiplicity of sequentially arranged signal storage capacitors,

first and second terminal means coupled to each said capacitor,

signal applying means and sensing means disposed in predetermined relation relative to said first and second terminal means,

and means to move said signal applying means and said sensing means relative to said terminal means in a cyclical manner as a direct function of the speed of the fabric articles through said ironer apparatus,

means to apply said defective article signal to said signal applying means to charge one of the capacitors in said signal storage means,

means coupled to said sensing means to provide an indication of the detected article when the charged capacitor is connected to said sensing means,

said device being arranged to connect said charged capacitor to said sensing means as the defective article is emerging from said ironer,

and a rejection device disposed at the output of said ironer apparatus in the normal path of the article for subsequent processing by said folder including fluid pressure means operative in response to said sensing means indicative to deflect said defective article from said path in response to said indication.

11. In combination with a variable speed continuously operating processing system including a plurality of processing apparatus capable of operating at different speeds,

each said apparatus having a path of substantial length for processing articles,

means coupled to a first apparatus to generate a signal indicative of a detected article being processed by said system,

means for storing each said article signal comprising a multiplicity of sequentially arranged signal storage capacitors,

terminal means coupled to each said capacitor,

signal applying means and sensing means disposed in predetermined relation relative to said terminal means, and

means to move said signal applying means and said sensing means relative to said terminal means in a cyclical manner as a direct function of the speed of the articles through said first apparatus,

means to apply said article signal to said signal applying means to charge one of the capacitors in said signal storage means,

means coupled to said sensing means to provide an output indication of the detected article when the charged capacitor is connected to said sensing means,

said device being arranged to connect said charged capacitor to said sensing means as the detected article is emerging from said first apparatus,

a memory device coupled to said second apparatus for storing said output indications comprising a multiplicity of sequentially arranged signal storage capacitors,

terminal means coupled to each said capacitor,

and second signal applying means and sensing means disposed in predetermined relation relative to said terminal means, means to move said signal applying means and said sensing means relative to said terminal means of said memory device in a cyclical manner as a direct function of the speed of the articles through said second apparatus, means coupling said output indication to said second signal applying means to charge a capacitor in said memory device, and means coupled to said second sensing means to provide an indication of said detected article as that article is emerging from said second apparatus. 12. The combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein said signal storing means is periodically stepped as a function of the speed of said first apparatus to change the position of said signal applying means and said sensing means relative to said capacitors,

means for temporarily storing a detected article signal indication and means responsive to a stepping signal to apply said temporarily stored signal indication to said signal applying means for storage on one of said capacitors immediately prior to the movement of said signal applying means relative to said terminal means. 13. The combination as claimed in claim 12 wherein said output signal storing means further includes means connected to said signal sensing means operative on sensing a charged capacitor to fully discharge that capacitor. 14. The combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein said signal storing means includes means to move said signal applying means and said sensing means relative to said terminal means at a continuous rate as a function of the speed of movement of articles through said processing apparatus,

first and second contact means connected in series with said signal applying means to control the application of the signal to said terminal means,

means maintaining said first contact means normally closed and means to open said first contact means shortly after said second contact means are operated to control the duration of the signal applied to said signal applying means,

and means responsive to the generation of said output indication to fully discharge the capacitor producing said output indication. 15. In combination with a variable speed continuously operating laundry processing system including ironing apparatus and folding apparatus,

each said apparatus having a path of substantial length for processing fabric articles,

means at the input to said ironer apparatus to generate a signal indicative of a detected defective fabric article being processed by said system,

means for storing each said defective fabric article signal comprising a multiplicity of sequentially arranged signal storage capacitors,

first and second terminal means coupled to each said capacitor,

signal applying means and sensing means disposed in predetermined relation relative to said first'and second terminal means, and

means to move said signal applying means and said sensing means relative to said terminal means in a cyclical manner as a direct function of the speed of the fabric articles through said ironer,

means to apply said defective article signal to said signal applying means to charge one of the capacitors in said signal storage means, means coupled to said sensing means to provide an indication of the detected article when the charged capacitor is connected to said sensing means,

said device being arranged to connect said charged capacitor to said sensing means as the defective article is emerging from said ironer,

a rejection device disposed at the output of said ironer in the normal path of the article for subsequent processing by said folder including fluid pressure means operative in response to said sensing means to deflect said defective article from said path in response to said indication,

a memory device for storing said output indications comprising a multiplicity of sequentially arranged signal storage capacitors,

terminal means coupled to each said capacitor,

and second signal applying means and sensing means disposed in predetermined relation relative to said terminal means,

means to move said signal applying means and said sensing means relative to said terminal means of said memory device in a cyclical manner as a direct function of the speed of the fabric articles through said folder,

means coupling said output indication to said second signal applying means to charge a capacitor in said memory device,

and means coupled to said second sensing means to disable a portion of said folder to segregate detected defective articles.

16. In combination with a continuously operable laundry processing system including an ironing apparatus having a conveyer of substantial length for moving fabrics through said ironing apparatus in the ironing operation to a fabric article discharge point,

a rejection device disposed adjacent said discharge point comprising gate means extending substantially the entire width of said conveyer,

means to resiliently bias said gate means into wiping engagement with a surface of the said conveyer beyond said discharge point to define a nip,

article guide means fixedly disposed in the path of said fabric articles as they are discharged from said conveyer at said discharge point,

said guide means having a plurality of orifices therein directed toward said gate means and substantially perpendicular to the direction of passage of the fabric articles across said guide means,

and means to selectively apply pressurized air through said orifices to force a fabric then passing across said guide means into the nip between said gate means and said conveyer in a fabric segregating operation.

17. In combination with a continuously operable laundry processing system including an ironing apparatus having a conveyer of substantial length for moving fabrics through said ironing apparatus in the ironing operation to a fabric article discharge point,

said conveyer being trained about a roll at said discharge point such that a transition is defined between an upper run and a lower run,

a rejection device disposed adjacent said discharge point comprising gate means extending substantially the entire width of said conveyer and mounted for pivoting movement about an axis parallel to the Width of said conveyer,

means to resiliently bias said gate means into wiping engagement with the lower run of the said conveyer beyond said discharge point to define a nip,

an article guide plate fixedly disposed in the path of said fabric articles as they are discharged from said conveyer at said discharge point,

said guide plate having a plurality of orifices therein directed toward said gate means and substantially perpendicular to the direction of passage of the fabric articles across said guide plate,

and means to selectively apply pressurized air through said orifices to force a fabric then passing across said guide plate into the nip between said gate means and the lower run of said conveyer so that said fabric is carried beyond said gate means in the direction of movement of the lower run of said conveyer.

l8. Segregating apparatus for sheet material for use in combination with first and second conveyer surfaces arranged in succession with the input of said second conveyer surface disposed below the output of said first conveyer surface such that a transition space is defined across which sheet material is fed from said first conveyer surface to said second conveyer surface in a generally vertical direction, comprising means disposed in said transition space for directing fluid pressure in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of sheet material across said transition space,

a movable member disposed generally in the path of said fluid pressure,

a segregating member disposed adjacent said movable member and having a portion biased into engagement therewith to define a nip for grasping sheet material introduced therein such that movement of said movable member acts to pull material engaged in said nip through said nip,

and means to selectively actuate said fluid pressure directing means to deflect sheet material passing across said transition space into said nip in a material segregating operation.

19. segregating apparatus for sheet material for use in combination with first and second conveyers arranged in succession with the input of said second conveyor disposed below the output of said first conveyer such that a transition space is defined across which sheet material is fed from said first conveyer to said second conveyer in a generally vertical direction,

said first conveyer including an apron trained over a roll so that an upper run and a lower run are defined,

means disposed in said transition space including a guide plate having orifice means disposed along a generally horizontal line and means for passing air under pressure through said orifice means towards said lower run of said first conveyer in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of sheet material across said transition space,

a perforated segregating member disposed adjacent said first conveyer and having a portion extending across and biased into engagement with the surface of the lower run of said first conveyer to define a nip therebetween for grasping sheet material introduced therein such that the movement of said lower run away from said transition space tends to pull material engaged in said nip through said nip,

and means to selectively actuate said air pressure means to deflect sheet material passing across said transition space into said nip in a material segregating operation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,490,071 12/49 Mackechnie 38--2 X 2,589,561 3/52 Mackechnie 38-2 X 2,794,535 6/57 Hauschild et al. 38-2 X 2,971,660 2/61 Lash et al. 38--2 X 3,044,638 7/62 Bruce 21411 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner, 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A VARIABLE SPEED CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING LAUNDRY PROCESSING SYSTEM, MEANS TO GENERATE A SIGNAL UPON DETECTION OF A DEFEC TIVE FABRIC ARTICLE BEING PROCESSED BY SAID SYSTEM A CAPACITIVE MEMORY DEVICE FOR STORING EACH SIGNAL INDICATIVE OF A DEFECTIVE ARTICLE, SAID CAPACITIVE MEMORY DEVICE INCLUDING A MULTIPLICITY OF SEQUENTIALLY ARRANGED CAPACITORS, EACH SAID CAPACITOR HAVING TERMINAL MEANS COUPLED THERETO, FIG-01 CHANGING SIGNAL APPLYING MEANS AND SENSING MEANS DISPOSED IN PREDETERMINED RELATION RELATIVE TO SAID TERMINAL MEANS, MEANS TO DRIVE SAID TERMINAL MEANS AND SAID CHARGING SIGNAL APPLYING MEANS AND SAID SENSING MEANS RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER IN A CYCLICAL MANNER, SAID DRIVE MEANS BEING COUPLED TO SAID PROCESSING SYSTEM SO THAT SAID RELATIVE MOVEMENT IS A DIRECT FUNCTION OF THE SPEED OF THE FABRIC ARTICLES THROUGH SAID SYSTEM, AND MEANS COUPLED TO SAID SENSING MEANS TO PROVIDING AN OUTPUT INDICATION OF THE DETECTED DEFECTIVE ARTICLE. 